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Attorneys: Reese family's rights violated in gun case

By The Associated Press

Posted:
12/14/2012 02:14:10 PM MST

ALBUQUERQUE - Attorneys for a southern New Mexico family acquitted of charges that they allegedly sold weapons to Mexican drug cartels say federal prosecutors violated their clients' constitutional rights.

The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/ZoaPgC) that defense motions filed in the case of Rick and Terri Reese and their son Ryin allege that prosecutors failed to release documents during their trial.

A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Ken Gonzales would not comment, explaining that most of the documents related to the case are sealed.

While the Reese family was acquitted in August of the most serious charges, Rick, Terri and Ryin were found guilty of lesser charges of making false statements on federal firearms sales forms.

Attorneys for the father and son are asking that their clients be released from jail pending their sentencing and motions for a new trial. The mother's attorneys are asking that her sentencing be delayed and that the documents be disclosed.